Cruising Sailors Forum Archive

Remember well my one experience with Mantas..

I'd been sailing/racing Solings out of W End, Bahamas for the week (Colgate sailing school). Then finally had Saturday - free to just use the boat. Wife and I were sitting on the dock discussing whether the wind was two strong for the two of us (she being a a bit pregnant..). Another couple came along that we didn't know and struck up a conversation - they mentioned how neat it would be to be going out sailing. They seemed like nice folks and their answers to a couple of questions indicated some sailing ability. They seemed amazed when I asked them if they'd like to go for a sail in the Soling. Anyway, we headed out and cleared the breakwater. Rather than head onto the Bank where we'd been racing all week, I headed W and pretty soon the water color changed as we got into the Stream. Before long, we were being escorted by a pair of Manta rays - they seemed huge but I had no sense of scale as I couldn't really tell how deep they were. Seemed like they were about 20-25 ft long and as wide - huge, majestic, graceful creatures.
The ones in the Sea of Cortez video seem much smaller - almost fluttering through the water. But my knowledge of Manta rays in close to zip - anyone else know more?

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